If you try to avoid processed foods or certainly ultra processed foods …

[Anonymous]

protein, starch, veggie, salad

Easy peasy for dinners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I actually think that for most, the need for motivation is because of the additional time and money required to eat this way.

False. Rice, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green vegetables, pasta, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc are not expensive. And preparing them does not need to be time consuming.

Look, most people just don't eat like this, due to a number of factors, so maybe try grasping the fact that we're not all as perfect as you and some of us need a bit of encouragement and motivation to prioritize this kind of cooking and eating? And yes, when I've come home after 10-12 hours out of the house, of course takeout is faster than simmering lentils, onions, and carrots in chicken stock and white wine. Duh.

Agree. And some of us find oatmeal and beans absolutely disgusting and cannot bear eating them. Can't stand sweet potatoes, either.
And, some people have allergies and other food intolerances from this list of foods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know of any specific blogs for avoiding processed foods, but I do two things that help me:

1. I don't buy processed foods. If they are not in my house, I don't eat them.

2. I am always on the lookout for easy, cheap, tasty recipes. There are tons of sites out there, but this is one that I like: https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/

+1 on Budget Bytes. Recipes are simple, ingredients are straightforward, and results are consistent. I also like Real Foodie Dietitians. Recipes are heavy on vegetables and whole grains, and my family has enjoyed the results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I actually think that for most, the need for motivation is because of the additional time and money required to eat this way.

False. Rice, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green vegetables, pasta, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc are not expensive. And preparing them does not need to be time consuming.

Look, most people just don't eat like this, due to a number of factors, so maybe try grasping the fact that we're not all as perfect as you and some of us need a bit of encouragement and motivation to prioritize this kind of cooking and eating? And yes, when I've come home after 10-12 hours out of the house, of course takeout is faster than simmering lentils, onions, and carrots in chicken stock and white wine. Duh.

Excuses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my old WW leaders from decades ago suggested shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (fruits and veggies, milk, eggs), and meat. Skip going up and down the aisles where all the processed food is

Exactly- most of the stuff in there isn’t food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:… are there websites or blogs you like to read for inspiration or encouragement? I’m thinking something like Marks Daily Apple except for ultra processed food thoughts, not primal/paleo.

I mean, bread is a processed food. Yogurt. Cheese. Wine. Processed foods (and drinks).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I actually think that for most, the need for motivation is because of the additional time and money required to eat this way.

False. Rice, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green vegetables, pasta, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc are not expensive. And preparing them does not need to be time consuming.

Look, most people just don't eat like this, due to a number of factors, so maybe try grasping the fact that we're not all as perfect as you and some of us need a bit of encouragement and motivation to prioritize this kind of cooking and eating? And yes, when I've come home after 10-12 hours out of the house, of course takeout is faster than simmering lentils, onions, and carrots in chicken stock and white wine. Duh.

??? Dump the lentils, some frozen onions, some frozen chopped carrots, and stock in an instant pot, set the timer for 8 min, and walk away. By the time you’re done changing out of your work clothes and changing your kid’s diaper, the instant pot will be done and dinner is ready.

[Anonymous]

Something I do to keep the processed/junk food cravings controlled is to cook my own whole foods at home, but use good butter and plenty of salt on them.
I love chips and pretzels, but for a snack I now have a couple of slices of good sourdough toast with a splash of olive oil and some salt. Or a smear of good butter. The crispy chewiness is very satisfying, and the oil or butter keeps me satisfied. The extra bit of salt helps give me the flavor I crave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I actually think that for most, the need for motivation is because of the additional time and money required to eat this way.

False. Rice, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green vegetables, pasta, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc are not expensive. And preparing them does not need to be time consuming.

Correction- those things didn’t USED to be expensive. Grocery inflation hasn’t left any foods unscathed. Nuts, in particular, are quite expensive in my world, not sure about yours.

And in this context “time consuming” is an utterly meaningless term. How much time is “time consuming” to you? I for one don’t think eat raw potatoes, or uncooked rice, or unsoaked uncooked beans…

[Anonymous]

OP a good start is to follow some vegan bloggers/youtubers (even if you’re not vegan - you can always substitute eggs for chia eggs, or parmesan for vegan parmesan, etc.).

Some that I like are:
Oh She Glows
Pick Up Limes
Rainbow Plant Life

[Anonymous]

So many responses on this thread are insufferable. Many of you are so impressed with yourselves.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to those whole replied usefully rather than scathingly. Does anyone have recipes/recs for convenience toddler snacks? Obviously we do fruit, but sometimes I want something with a bit more protein and sometimes my younger kid needs a carb hit and I’d love to avoid stocking crackers/goldfish/etc all the time! Older child can have nuts/trail mix (dead easy to make myself) and but it’s a chocking hazard for my younger. I often make quick breads/muffins/etc but I’d love some ideas for options with a longer shelf life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not really. The reward is in eating the food itself: I find “whole”/unprocessed foods delicious and I know how to cook them well. I also prefer how my body feels and how my temperament is after eating these foods.

Maybe get a whole foods/plant based foods cookbook for some inspiration!

One of the biggest misconceptions of those eating the standard American diet is that eating whole foods cannot be enjoyable and delicious. Hence the need to "motivate" themselves to make the change.

I actually think that for most, the need for motivation is because of the additional time and money required to eat this way.

False. Rice, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green vegetables, pasta, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc are not expensive. And preparing them does not need to be time consuming.

Don't keep cooked rice for too long.
Look, most people just don't eat like this, due to a number of factors, so maybe try grasping the fact that we're not all as perfect as you and some of us need a bit of encouragement and motivation to prioritize this kind of cooking and eating? And yes, when I've come home after 10-12 hours out of the house, of course takeout is faster than simmering lentils, onions, and carrots in chicken stock and white wine. Duh.

So make a big batch of rice and beans over the weekend and put it in the refrigerator. Heat up batches in the microwave over the course of the week. Healthier, cheaper, and just as fast as takeout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my old WW leaders from decades ago suggested shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (fruits and veggies, milk, eggs), and meat. Skip going up and down the aisles where all the processed food is

Except the center aisles have beans, rice, quinoa, oats....

[Anonymous]

To the OP, using a pressure cooker or instapot will help you cook non processed foods more quickly. Cook more than you need and freeze items to use during the week if you are pressed for time.

If you use calorie counting apps like Lose It, they will show you how much sugar, salt and fat are in processed food, and put you off eating too many of these products. The app will show you how much salt and sugar you ate for the day and week.